Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service connection for Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma from 100% to 0% effective September 1, 2016 was proper and denied restoration of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder was granted an effective date of October 19, 2012 for a 70 percent rating. The claim for TDIU was also granted on the same effective date.

The Veteran's cause of death, glioblastoma of the brain, is found to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, is not service connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service and there is no evidence linking the cancer to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left thumb fracture and laceration, as well as left thumb and hand arthritis. The evidence received since the June 2010 rating decision is not new or material.

The Veteran's service-connected tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy, has been rated noncompensable. The Board finds that the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for this condition should be remanded due to the Veteran indicating his disability has worsened during the appeal period.

The Board denied recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to a legally terminated marriage (divorce) and lack of evidence for a common law marriage following the divorce.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of an inguinal hernia are not recurrent, readily reducible, and well supported by truss or belt. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his private hospitalization for a myocardial infarction are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and potential eligibility under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his hidradenitis suppurativa and bilateral peripheral vascular disease. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, including from VAMC Richmond, request an addendum medical report from the treating physician, and schedule VA compensation examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of extending the Appellant's DEA benefits beyond the initial 45 months due to her English language difficulties and special assistance for educationally disadvantaged programs.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no accrued benefits can be awarded as a result.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his dental disability.

The Board has reactivated the appeal due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in dismissing the Veteran's claim for dental compensation, which was previously granted by an April 1980 rating decision.

The Veteran died from Alzheimer's disease, which was not service-connected. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not cause or contribute to his death.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits is denied as there are no existing unpaid benefits to be paid due to the death of her mother (the Veteran). The appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of her mother's death and there were no unpaid benefits owed.

The Veteran's claim for Chapter 1606 kicker payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied because he did not make an irrevocable election to relinquish eligibility for Chapter 1606 benefits in connection with his application for Chapter 33 education benefits.